Author: space4knews

The meeting reviewed operational updates. The Public Accounts Committee convened to discuss the customs clearance and tax rate review for electric vehicles. MP Ganesh Singh Thagunna demanded a parliamentary investigation into the tax exemptions provided to electric vehicles. During the meeting, members emphasized controlling customs fraud, establishing a transparent tax system, and improving customs infrastructure. Kathmandu, 28 Jestha. The committee’s meeting today primarily addressed the transparency of customs clearance processes, policy stability, and customs management improvements related to electric vehicles (EVs). Committee members stressed the need to review issues ranging from customs clearance and tax rates to customs valuation processes for these EVs. They also offered various suggestions for enhancing customs management and reforms.

MP Aren Rai urged that clear information regarding tax regulations applied to electric vehicles be communicated to the public. MP Buddha Ratna Maharjan expressed concerns that imposing only tax burdens on citizens would not lead to national prosperity. Similarly, MP Mahendra Bahadur Shahi emphasized the importance of transparency in business and called for attention to customs infrastructure improvements. MP Yagya Bahadur Bogati highlighted the necessity of equipping the customs office with adequate facilities, while fellow member Ganesh Singh Thagunna reiterated that a parliamentary inquiry is essential regarding the tax exemptions granted to electric vehicles.

MP Rukesh Ranjit advocated for business-friendly tax policies. MP Bikram Thapa stressed the importance of effective budget implementation. MP Govinda Panthi noted the need for regular monitoring and a robust framework to control customs fraud. MP Manish Jha underscored the importance of systematic inspection, tax assessment, and revenue collection for imported and exported goods. Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Why is AI-enabled football being used in this year’s World Cup? The upcoming football tournament, set to begin in a few weeks, will feature various new technologies. FIFA has provided details about these innovations, with the highlight being the technologically advanced football itself.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will use a highly advanced football. According to FIFA, while the ball will look and feel like a regular football, it possesses unique features. The “Trionda” smart ball contains sensors embedded in a chip that distinguish it from conventional balls.

FIFA states that this ball is capable of collecting data 500 times per second, allowing it to monitor every minute movement. This AI-powered football is expected to assist referees and officials in making accurate decisions by helping to identify common contentious issues such as handballs and offsides that often lead to disputes during matches.

May 28, Khotang – The Diktel–Chakhewa road section in Khotang, part of the Mid-Hill Highway, has been blocked due to a landslide. Last night, a landslide occurred in the Lapse (Pankhu) Khola, connecting Buwasung and Lamidanda in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-8, completely obstructing the road. According to local teacher Dilipchandra Rai, the landslide came from Dhandakhark of Lamidanda located within the Gopini Naipa Community Forest area on the night of May 27.

The landslide, composed of loose soil and debris, damaged roads, culverts, and various structures in the lower areas. Due to the damage on the road, vehicles traveling between Bhojpur and Kathmandu, as well as those going from Diktel and Banachung towards Bhojpur on the eastern route, have been halted. The Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality has deployed dozers, excavators, and manpower to repair the damaged road.

Landslides have been a recurring issue in this area. On the morning of May 23, a flood in Lapse Khola damaged the road, causing traffic disruption for nine hours. Although there was a plan to construct a permanent bridge over Lapse Khola in 2016 (2073 BS), the project remains incomplete due to delays by the contractor. Without a bridge, passengers, freight vehicles, ambulances, motorcycles, and pedestrians are forced to wait for extended periods during the rainy season.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 48 participating teams. Players from these teams will take the field wearing jerseys that vary in color and design.

In Navarajpur Rural Municipality of Siraha, 12 power tillers worth NPR 842,953 have been distributed to landless Dalit families to empower them towards self-reliance in agriculture. A total of 304 landless members have benefited from this project, which is a collaborative effort between the local rural municipality, Dalit Welfare Youth Club, and the Mennonite Central Committee. Additionally, eight groups from four wards of the neighboring Wariyarpatti Rural Municipality received power tillers worth NPR 561,968. (28 Jestha, Siraha)

The distribution of 12 power tillers to landless Dalit families took place in the southern border region of Navarajpur Rural Municipality, Siraha, to promote agricultural self-sufficiency. This initiative is part of the ‘Integrated Livelihood and Agricultural Improvement Project,’ which targeted 12 out of 38 farmer groups from five wards with the provision of power tillers. The project is a collaborative partnership between the rural municipality, Dalit Welfare Youth Club, and the Mennonite Central Committee.

Umekumar Visunke, president of the club, shared that power tillers valued at NPR 842,953 were provided for 304 members across 12 groups to use on a rotational basis. He added, “Along with the power tillers, engine and gear oil as well as diesel fuel have also been supplied.” Under the project, landless Dalit families have also received support to lease land for growing grains and vegetables, and have been assisted in establishing grocery and mobile clothing shops to generate income.

According to social mobilizer Santoskumar Visunke, farmers were trained on operating the power tillers, and one operator has been assigned per group. Local resident Sulena Sadaya reported that through the project, 10 landless families have cultivated over two bighas and five katthas of leased land at an annual cost of NPR 41,100. She noted that farming has not only contributed to their families’ food security but also allowed them to begin saving money. Likewise, Lalprasad Pokharel, project coordinator, informed that power tillers worth NPR 561,968 were also distributed to eight groups across four wards of the neighboring Wariyarpatti Rural Municipality. He stated that cultivating leased land enables the landless Dalit families to improve their economic conditions.

Vinodkumar Yadav, ward chairperson of Wariyarpatti-3, highlighted that efforts are underway at the ward level to ensure secure housing, education for children, sanitation, and social development for landless Dalit families.

May 10, Kathmandu: Fifty applicants submitted their applications for the position of Vice-Chancellor at Tribhuvan University. Based on expert evaluations, the recommendation committee approved 43 of these applications. Among them, the shortlist of 10 candidates has already been announced. However, none of the shortlisted applicants are women.

In its 67-year history, Tribhuvan University has never had a female vice-chancellor. Questions about female representation at the university continue to be raised. Experts have described the absence of female applicants as a regrettable development.

“Having not a single woman is truly unfortunate. It fails to send a constructive and positive message,” said former dean Prof. Dr. Kusum Shakya. The complete absence of women on the shortlist is a matter of concern both for the university and female representation. In 2015 (2072 BS), Prof. Dr. Sudha Tripathi became the first female academic dean at Tribhuvan. After the term of then Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Teertha Khaniya ended, she assumed the responsibilities of acting vice-chancellor.

“I worked as rector and also managed duties as acting vice-chancellor,” she shared. At that time, Tripathi aspired to formally become vice-chancellor but did not receive support from the state. “I had enthusiasm, expectations, and the courage to perform, but it was not possible,” Prof. Dr. Tripathi explained. “There were behind-the-scenes games being played, which I did not understand.” She believes that being a woman is not the reason for not becoming vice-chancellor, but rather the state’s structures have yet to demonstrate the necessary political will.

“Being a woman actually helped,” she recounted. “When students came causing disruptions, if there had been male leadership, clashes might have happened, but I just opened my arms and stood firm. They couldn’t do anything and had to leave.” Some argue that patriarchal structures have impeded women’s ascension to leadership. Dr. Tripathi sees lack of political activism among women as a key factor. “It’s not that a woman cannot handle the vice-chancellorship, but the issue is women not engaging in political lobbying. Setting up to bring in preferred individuals happens,” she stated. “The state has not prepared women adequately, but if it wished, it is not impossible.”

This time, the government plans to select the vice-chancellor through a politics-free competitive process. Yet no female professors have applied. “Although the call was open, a perception that the selection would not be fair likely discouraged women from applying,” Prof. Dr. Tripathi analyzed. It is not only this time; in February 2024 (2080 Falgun 10), the government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ appointed Prof. Dr. Kesarjung Baral as vice-chancellor. Prior to this as well, open competition methods had been adopted.

At that time, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty deans Prof. Dr. Kusum Shakya and Prof. Dr. Sangita Rayamajhi applied for the position. “I applied last time as well and was shortlisted, but could not become vice-chancellor,” said Prof. Dr. Shakya. She explained that once it became clear that a woman would not be appointed despite open calls, female candidates stopped applying. “If it’s not going to happen, why apply? I have gained experience. I thought other women might apply but no one did,” she added.

Absence of Women in Dean Positions
There are no women serving as deans in any faculty at Tribhuvan University. All faculties are led by male deans — including the Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Science, Forestry, Engineering, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, and Law. In December 2024 (2081 Mangsir), a merit-based dean appointment process was initiated along with the formation of an expert committee and a public call for applications, but ultimately dean appointments were made based on political consensus.

Low Number of Female Professors
The number of female professors at Tribhuvan University is significantly lower compared to their male counterparts. Currently, there are 7,966 faculty members, but exact figures for female professors are unavailable. However, professors acknowledge that female representation is low. Women attribute this disparity more to lack of opportunity and trust rather than qualifications. “It’s not that qualified women don’t exist; it depends on the state’s political will,” said Prof. Dr. Shakya. She noted that although meritocracy is discussed, in practice women are not given the expected opportunities.

A Challenging Leadership Role
Former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan, Kedarbhakta Mathema, described the role as challenging. “Running a university is unlike managing a ministry; one has to simultaneously handle student movements, academic administration, research, and management,” he said. Mathema believes that improving the university environment is essential to bring qualified women professors into leadership. If strikes, closures, and investments in research and academic environments can be managed well, women could lead the university more effectively.

Movement for Women’s Leadership Among Professors
The issue of women’s leadership at Tribhuvan is not new. Seven years ago, female professors staged protests demanding 33 percent representation of women as campus chiefs. Today, several campuses are led by women, including Trichandra Campus, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Padma Kanya Multipurpose Campus, Bhaktapur Multipurpose Campus, Biratnagar Nursing Campus, Birgunj Nursing Campus, Pokhara Nursing Campus, and Nepalgunj Nursing Campus.

In January 2025 (2081 Poush), the appointment process for 24 campus chiefs was announced to follow merit-based selection, but no women were appointed at that time. Overall, women’s presence in leadership roles at department and campus levels remains minimal. Experts argue that leadership development should begin from campus levels to prepare women for the vice-chancellorship, as prior leadership experience at campus level would ease their role as vice-chancellor.

They also observe that female leadership tends to bring more transparency than male leadership. Former dean Dr. Shakya emphasizes the need for state policy arrangements to promote women to university leadership positions. “In the coming days, the government must initiate steps. Women are preparing to lead, but policymaking is necessary,” she said.

Low Female Representation in Other Universities as Well
After the government dismissed officials in all universities by ordinance, the shortlists for the vice-chancellor selection process in eight universities have been released. Female representation is low among these candidates. For instance, none of the ten shortlisted candidates at Purwanchal University are women, despite 38 applicants. Similarly, Sudurpashchim University’s shortlist of 10 has no women among 19 applicants. At Mid-Western University, one woman, Kalyani Mishra Tripathi, is shortlisted among 20 applicants. Pokhara University’s shortlist includes one woman, Nirmala Jamar Kattel, among 38 applicants.

No women are shortlisted for vice-chancellor at Rajarshi Janak University, where 27 applied. At the Agriculture and Forestry University, one woman, Kalyani Mishra Tripathi, is shortlisted among 15 applicants. Lumbini Buddhist University has three women shortlisted: Chandrakala Ghimire, Yashodhara Bhetuwal, and Sarada Paudel among 11 applicants. Overall, women’s presence remains minimal. The recommendation committee also noted that few women applied.

“Few women have applied; it is a challenge. Selection depends on qualifications, capability, and experience,” said committee member Reshu Aryal. “Women have historically been marginalized in education. It is now necessary to review the university promotion system.”

Following recent US attacks, Iran has retaliated by striking American military bases located in Gulf countries. Tehran launched these attacks after US President Donald Trump hinted at a “strong attack” on Iran, criticizing Tehran for taking “too long to reach an agreement to end the conflict.” The US Central Command (‘Centcom’) reported that the defensive operations conducted over two days had concluded. In response, Iran targeted US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, claiming they were used as staging grounds for attacks on its territory.

The escalating tit-for-tat strikes have heightened tensions in recent days, testing a tenuous ceasefire that began in April. Following the latest US assaults, explosions were reported in southern Iranian cities near the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, US forces launched attacks on air defense systems, radar, and other infrastructure in the area.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also reported attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media claimed the strait was “completely closed to all types of ships,” citing these attacks on ships in the region. However, Centcom stated that “commercial vessels continue to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iranian media further reported that the Iranian Navy attacked two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, though these claims remain unverified. After news spread of this key global oil shipping route being closed and attacks on vessels, oil prices surged again. Brent crude, the international benchmark, increased by approximately two percent in Asian trading on Thursday morning, rising above $95 per barrel.